ON Friday, April 25, I visited my former school, Manor Court, for the launch of the new values and vision under the new head teacher Adrian Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell explained the process that got the school to adopt “Aspire” as their tag line and our MP David Laws helped some children to release balloons to mark the new start for the school.

We also watched a new mural depicting the school’s new values and Manor Court’s class names being unveiled for the first time.

It was lovely to see how the school has changed over the many years since I last attended … I remember it well!

On Saturday, at the invitation of the Mayor of Taunton, Andy and I attended “Tone talent” at the newly re-opened Brewhouse theatre in Taunton.

The theatre is now being leased from the council by a group of volunteers and has only been open for a few weeks.

We were entertained for a full four hours by dancers, a male voice choir, a lady comic and ’80s pop star Howard Jones.

They all gave their time for free to try and raise funds to keep the theatre open.

The comic, Laura Lexx was very funny … one to keep an eye out for I think.

Sunday’s rain stopped just long enough for Chard’s first St George’s day parade for the general public.

We had lots of local groups pull together to make this happen, led by Rosie a young musician on the drum and a dragon made at the Laurel centre.

The procession was headed by two beautiful horses from Horseshoes and Handprints and included the new High Sheriff and a representative of Lady Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.

Chard concert brass played at St Mary’s and we had tea and cake afterwards supplied by the church.

It was really nice to see so many people out and I am hoping that this will become a regular occurrence.

On Monday 28th I went to the children’s hospice South West with Chard Rotary Club’s President Robert Rollings.

This was an open day which they have regularly and there were no children or families present. I was amazed at the facilities there.

The hospice is near Clevedon and is an old farmhouse set in beautiful countryside. It is like an expensive hotel/home with a big kitchen, living areas and even a teen zone which has an entry key pad to keep us adults out.

What struck me most was the positive homely aura of the whole building. Dressing-up boxes and Wendy houses were around every corner, each child had their favourite things listed and put into their room for every visit so it was home from home.

Children and their families are able to visit for many years as respite or for holidays, it I s all about life and enjoying what we have.

On Friday, May 2, Andy and I went to Chard School’s open day; this was interesting as I remember the boarders at the school when I was a child; in fact, we used to go swimming in the old pool many years ago but I had never been inside the old buildings.

We were shown around the school by parents and governors who were very proud of what small classes and traditional education can produce in their children. We visited many classes, including French, English and science where the children were growing broad beans and more; we were treated to singing from one young man called Simon.